A 65-YEAR-OLD man has been discharged yesterday after the court found insufficient evidence into the rape charges against him to send him to the High Court for trial.
The man from Central Province, who cannot be named to protect the alleged victim’s identity, had earlier pleaded not guilty to five counts of rape.
The alleged victim in this rape was his niece who was at that time of the alleged offending, was only 17 years of age.
The alleged incidents were said to have occurred between January 2013 and October 2014 at different locations in Central Province.
A short form preliminary inquiry was conducted, which saw documents tendered to court on the last court hearing.
Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Kouhota when handing down his ruling said, he found insufficient evidence to send the accused to the High Court for trial.
He therefore discharged the accused.
This however, does not mean the accused is acquitted and freed, as he can be charged later if police collects new evidence.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN